Self-Regulation, Engagement, and Developmental Functioning in Preschool-Aged Children

Self-regulation can be relevant for engagement, as children need to be able to modulate behaviors and control attention to be engaged. Although previous studies focus on the relation between self-regulation and engagement, little is known about this subject in children with disabilities or at risk. This study analyzes relations between self-regulation and engagement in inclusive preschool settings, considering children’s developmental functioning (DF). The main goal is to examine whether DF moderates the relation between self-regulation and engagement. Participants include three groups of children: with disabilities ( n = 54), at risk ( n = 78), and typically developing ( n = 115). DF was assessed with a short version of the Matrix for Assessment of Activities and Participation; self-regulation with Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders; and engagement with Child Observation in Preschool. Results indicated that higher levels of self-regulation were related to higher levels of engagement. A moderation effect between self-regulation and DF was also found: in the group of children with disabilities, the influence of self-regulation on engagement was larger. This highlights the relevance of promoting self-regulation, particularly in children with lower DF.

Identifying and Quantifying the Unintended Variability in Common Systematic Observation Instruments to Measure Youth Physical Activity

Background: Direct observation protocols may introduce variability in physical activity estimates. Methods: Thirty-five physical education lessons were video recorded and coded using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT). A multistep process examined variability in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA%; walking + vigorous/total scans). Initially, per-SOFIT protocol MVPA% (MVPA%SOFIT) estimates were produced for each lesson. Second, true MVPA% (mean MVPA% of all students using all observations, MVPA%true) estimates were calculated. Third, MVPA% (MVPA%perm) was calculated based on all permutations of students and observation order. Fourth, physical education lessons were divided into 2 groups with 5 lessons from each group randomly selected 10,000 times. Group MVPA%perm differences between the 10 selected lessons were compared with the MVPA%true difference between group 1 and group 2. Results: Across all lessons, 10,212,600 permutations were possible (average 291,789 combinations per lesson; range = 73,440–570,024). Across lessons, the average absolute difference between MVPA%true and MVPA%SOFIT estimates was ±4.8% (range = 0.1%–17.5%). Permutations, based on students selected and observation order, indicated that the mean range of MVPA%perm estimates was 41.6% within a lesson (range = 29.8%–55.9%). Differences in MVPA% estimates between the randomly selected groups of lessons varied by 32.0%. Conclusion: MVPA% estimates from focal child observation should be interpreted with caution.

Meningkatkan Kedisiplinan Anak Usia Dini Melalui Latihan Pembiasaan Penggunaan Toilet di KB Al-Hidayah Insan Mandiri Kabupaten Bandung

The purpose of this research is to know the discipline of early childhood through the habitual use of toilet training well in KB Al-Hidayah Insan Mandiri Kabupaten Bandung. Good toileting habits can help early childhood knowledge and understanding about how to use the toilet properly, maintain hygiene, and help lay out aspects related to using toilets to improve child self-discipline. The research problem is how to improve the discipline of early childhood through the use of toilet in KB Al-Hidayah Insan Mandiri Kabupaten Bandung. The research method used is classroom action research method. The classroom action research in this study consisted of two cycles, each cycle of three meetings conducted in the even semester (academic year 2017-2018), then the data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The subjects of this study are early childhood KB Al-Hidayah Insan Mandiri Kabupaten Bandung, amounting to 20 children. The instrument used in this study is a child observation sheet. The results showed that through the use of toilets well can improve the early childhood discipline in KB Al-Hidayah Insan Mandiri Kabupaten Bandung by 85%.